Anu Kaipainen (née Mustonen; 14 March 1933 — 29 September 2009) was a prolific Finnish writer and literary critic.

[3] Afterwards she published a new novel every couple of years — over 20, in total — as well as several plays and TV scripts, short stories and a fairytale book.

[6] Common themes in many of Kaipainen's works are on one hand myths and legends; on the other, contemporary realism and criticism of societal injustices and problems.

[9] She was awarded the state pension for artists (Valtion taiteilijaeläke) in recognition of her life's work, from 1994.

[2] In 2006, Kaipainen was recognised with the annual award (Suomen Kirjailijaliiton tunnustuspalkinto) of the Union of Finnish Writers.